A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Spalding's study focused on the development of perceptual skills in chicks by placing them in a black sack at hatching. This method allowed him to control the sensory experiences of the chicks immediately after they hatched, thus observing how their perceptual abilities developed in the absence of visual stimuli. By isolating the chicks in this manner, Spalding could later test their ability to recognize objects and their environment more effectively.

This approach laid the groundwork for understanding the critical periods for perceptual development in chicks and highlighted the role of experience and exposure in the formation of perceptual skills. Other options, such as measuring reactions to different colors or using a visual cliff, would not have aligned with Spalding's original methodology.